Hey, we need help with resetting or deleting a Windows Hello pin on one of our Windows 11 systems. The pin was set up without us knowing, and we don’t have access to it. We can still log in using the password, but we can’t add a new sign-in method like fingerprint or facial recognition because it keeps asking for the pin. Every time we click ‘I forgot my pin’, it tells us to go to settings > accounts > sign-in options, but when we click on Windows Hello Pin in the options, the ‘Delete’ button is greyed out. And to change the pin, we need the current one. We tried logging in with a local user, safe mode, etc., but no luck. We also deleted the Windows Hello option from Azure, but still no progress. Has anyone found a way to reset or delete the pin in Windows 11? Thanks in advance!
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Try deleting this folder: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC
Aubrey said:
Try deleting this folder: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\NGC
It worked! Thanks!
For anyone else having this issue: At first, we didn’t have permission to delete the ‘NGC’ folder. But after rebooting in safe mode, we took control of the folder via ‘Security’ → ‘Advanced’. Then we could delete the folder and the pin was gone.
You could try disabling Secure Boot or TPM. This may reset Windows Hello and let you set up a new login method. After that, you should be able to intervene and set it up the way you want.
Charley said:
You could try disabling Secure Boot or TPM. This may reset Windows Hello and let you set up a new login method. After that, you should be able to intervene and set it up the way you want.
I didn’t get a chance to try this method, but thanks for the suggestion!
Here’s another set of steps you can try:
Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options > Windows Hello Pin and click ‘I forgot my Pin’. This should prompt you to re-enter your account password and set a new pin without needing the old one.
If that doesn’t work, you can try opening the Local Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the run dialog. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Logon, and disable the ‘Turn on Convenience PIN Sign-in’ setting. This should remove the pin requirement.
Finally, you could try deleting the Ngc folder where the pin data is stored. Navigate to C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Ngc and delete the folder. You might need to take ownership first to do this.
Hopefully, one of these solutions helps!
Next time, consider disabling Windows Hello. I think you can do this in the registry or through Group Policy.